subject: Relieve Your Ache In One Visit With Root Canal Therapy [print this page] The last thing you want to hear when visiting your dentist is that you need a root canal. Often associated with extreme pain, root canals are the last treatments most patients want to deal with. However, when your dentist does recommend root canal treatment, he is only working to help improve the health of the pulp, which provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth. The pulp runs like a thread down through your tooth, but when it is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. If this happens, your tooth will become infected if not removed properly, which could cause you to lose your tooth. During root canal therapy, your dentist will remove the pulp, clean the root canal and seal it off for protection. So instead of fearing treatment, it is important to understand that in as little as one visit you can experience pain relief.
Understanding Root Canal Therapy
This all-too-common procedure involves removing the diseased nerve and pulp located inside of the tooth and sealing it to prevent recontamination. Without treatment, the infection won't heal by itself and may penetrate surrounding tissue leading to an abscess. In severe cases, an infected tooth can cause bone loss and even spread to other areas of your body including the face, neck and head.
If the tooth is still weak and brittle following the root canal treatment, a crown may be placed over the tooth to strengthen its structure and improve its appearance. Your tooth is then restored and can function just like any other tooth for the rest of your life, ensuring comfortable chewing and a natural appearance.
Common symptoms of a diseased pulp include:
*Severe toothache pain, especially when chewing
*Prolonged sensitivity/pain to heat or cold temperatures
*Discoloration (darkening) of the tooth
*Swelling and tenderness of the gum tissue surrounding the affected area
*A persistent or recurring pimple on the gums
Are Root Canals Painful?
Root canals have a reputation for being painful, but most patients report that the procedure itself is no more painful than having a filling placed. You may not feel instant pain relief, but root canal therapy is the best treatment available to save your original teeth. Patients who receive root canal treatment today enjoy a restored tooth that can last almost as long as its healthy original.
Root canals are highly successful. In fact, the treatment has more than a 95% success rate. There are many benefits, including:
*Infection is removed from the pulp
*Helps prevent dental decay
*Protects against having teeth permanently extracted
*Eases pain associated with decay
Thanks to advances in dental technology, endodontic therapy has become more precise, less invasive, and ultimately, less painful. The key to ensuring a positive patient experience is finding the most qualified dentist to perform your procedure. The only other alternative is extraction, which can cause neighboring teeth to shift, resulting in a misaligned bite.
Pay attention to the warning signs associated with an infected pulp and visit your Jacksonville dentist immediately for safe and effective treatment.
